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Commercial Aquatic Applicators |
 The use of
chemicals is the most common and versatile management
strategy for controlling nuisance aquatic plant
populations. Chemicals offer longer lasting control than
mechanical methods; involve minimal labor and equipment;
provide flexibility and predictability; plus, ultimately
cost less. From the range of products available, spot
control within particular areas or selective control of
specific plant species can be achieved. Applications can
be made to sites that cannot or might not be reached by
other methods. Algaecides and aquatic herbicides will
not disrupt the ecological balance and in many cases can
be used to restore some balance to a system. Ingredients
are non-persistent. They will degrade or become
deactivated within a relatively short period of time
after controlling target plants. Therefore, no build-up
occurs within the fish food chain.
Products
currently allowed for use are somewhat limited due to
the stringent government registration process. Millions
of dollars and years of research have gone into testing
these compounds on a broad spectrum of target and
non-target organisms. Evaluations are made not only by
the manufacturers themselves, but also by universities,
government agencies, private consultants and commercial
applicators.
The registration process requires a
battery of short-term (acute) and longterm (chronic)
testing under a variety of environmental and laboratory
conditions. Toxicity to rats, fish, aquatic
invertebrates, desirable vegetation (crops, ornamental
plants, turf, etc.) and other potentially exposed
organisms must be determined. Screening tests and
multiple generation studies on test animals are
conducted to determine effects on cell function and
growth, fetal development and pregnancy. Chemical
residues and breakdown products are examined to trace
the pathway of the compounds within the environment.
Effects from altering water temperature, light
intensities, water qualities and other factors are also
investigated. Determinations are made as to the
application rates and frequencies required to control
the target aquatic plant
species. | |
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